One of Rubashkin's Attorney's. Guy R. Cook
NEW YORK — It was announced Friday at the national headquarters of Agudath Israel of America that Guy R. Cook, the Iowa attorney representing former Agriprocessors CEO Sholom Rubashkin, will be addressing the organization’s 88th Anniversary Dinner this Sunday, May 9, at the New York Hilton in Manhattan.
Lawyer to Advocate for Rubashkin at Agudath Israel Dinner
NEW YORK — It was announced Friday at the national headquarters of Agudath Israel of America that Guy R. Cook, the Iowa attorney representing former Agriprocessors CEO Sholom Rubashkin, will be addressing the organization’s 88th Anniversary Dinner this Sunday, May 9, at the New York Hilton in Manhattan.
Mr. Cook has been front and center in his advocacy on behalf of the beleaguered Mr. Rubashkin, whose case has riveted the attention of much of the Orthodox Jewish world – and of many outside of it, including former US Justice Department officials, who perceive disturbing irregularities in the prosecution of the former Agriprocessors official.
Mr. Cook, a partner in the prominent Iowa firm Grefe and Sidney, has served as Assistant United States Attorney for the Southern District of Iowa. He is also a past president of the Polk County Bar Association, which represents more than a quarter of all the lawyers in Iowa, and presently serves as a member of the Board of Governors of the Iowa State Bar Association.
Rabbi Chaim Dovid Zwiebel, Agudath Israel’s executive vice president, has worked closely with Mr. Cook over the past year-and-a-half as the Rubashkin case has proceeded in the Iowa and federal courts.
Rabbi Zwiebel had warm words for the Iowa attorney. “Over recent months,” he said, “I have had the opportunity to witness Guy Cook’s’s tireless efforts on behalf of Sholom Rubashkin. In addition to his outstanding legal skills, I have been particularly impressed with his ability, as a native Iowan whose interactions with Jews, and certainly Orthodox Jews, were probably somewhat limited, to become so attuned to our community and so sensitive to Mr. Rubashkin’s religious beliefs and needs.”
Those in attendance at the dinner attendees will also hear an address by the Novominsker Rebbe, shlit”a, the Rosh Agudas Yisroel; watch a special video tribute to Rabbi Chaskel Besser, z”l; and participate in the bestowal of well-deserved honors on a group of outstanding askonim.
I was there.
The dinner was a great success with over 1000 people in attendance including Rabbi Sholom Ber Hecht & Rabbi Lipa Brennan, members of The Committee of Concerned Anash who have spearheaded the fundraising activities on behalf of Sholom Modcha.The Novominsker Rebbe in his opening remarks referred to Sholom Modcha and the achdus he has brought about in Klal Yisroel as well as the injustice he is suffering in the sentencing phase of his case.
Rabbi Zweibel in his introduction of Mr Cook praised him for his diligence & perseverence in the face of adversity & unlimited resources being thrown at the prosecution of this case by the U.S. government.
Mr Cook in his keynote address detailed a litany of excess,over zealousness & vindictivness of the government in every step of this case beginning with the military style raid which could have been averted had the U.S. Attorneys office accepted the Rubashkin families request, in a written letter to the government by their attorneys in the days before the raid, to cooperate with the gov. & rectify any irregularities. During the trial when confronted with this letter, the gov. witness said simply “ we ignored the letter” !! He praised the efforts of the Committee for Concerned Anash, Agudas Yisroel & all segments of Orthdox Jewry who have rallied behind Sholom Modcha & his family.
May his efforts & all our Teillos be crowned with success when the judge passes the final sentence on 5/27. Till then keep saying Tehillim for Sholom Mordechai halevi ben Rivka & keep sending in those checks for his legal defence fund — Pidyon Shevuyim Fund c/o NCFJE 824 Eastern Pkwy Brklyn NY 11213.
Mr Cook received a standing ovation at the conclusion of his remarks ( the only one the entire dinner).